By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Meghalaya Editor & Publisher Association (MEPA) has come down heavily on the State Government for failing to attend to their various demands despite giving an assurance.
“Despite the media houses contribution to the society in providing public information through the newspapers, it is pretty sad that the Government has not taken any serious step to address issued raised by the organisation,” MEPA general secretary George B Lyngdoh said while speaking during the inaugural function to commemorate the year long silver jubilee celebration of Rupang newspaper on Saturday.
Lyngdoh has also criticized Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma for failing to take the issues raised by the association since the time he was holding charge of Information and Public Relation department.
He also pointed out that the Government should support the newspapers which are published from within the State.
“But it is surprising to see that maximum of the advertisements have gone to the newspapers which are published from Assam,” MEPA general secretary said.
Meanwhile, Lyngdoh also informed that out of the 9 lakh local Khasi indigenous populations in the State, only about 72,000 are those who are reading the local vernacular paper.
While stating that the price of cigarettes and bettelnut are more than that of the newspapers, he said that it is surprise to see there is a huge hue and cry if the media houses decide to increase the rate of the newspaper.